In the upcoming November election, Americans will face a tight race for the House of Representatives, where a slim majority is possible for either party, according to recent polls. However, Republicans appear to have an advantage due to state-level gerrymandering practices.
In 2022, Congress nearly approved the Freedom to Vote Act, a substantial democracy reform bill aimed at eliminating partisan gerrymandering in congressional districts. Although it passed in the House and had Senate support, the act failed to move forward due to the Senate’s reluctance to alter filibuster rules by a narrow margin of two votes.
As it stands, without this reform, states have varying approaches to drawing district maps, creating inconsistencies. While both parties have engaged in gerrymandering post-2020 census, the Brennan Center estimates that Republican-led gerrymandering in the South and Midwest grants Republicans an approximate 16-seat advantage in the 2024 House race, compared to what fairer maps would provide.
